Convener, Taskforce, India Every child has a Right to Family

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Convener, Taskforce, India Every child has a Right to Family"— Presentation transcript:

1 Convener, Taskforce, India Every child has a Right to FamilyDe-institutionalization and Family Reunification Initiatives in Odisha, IndiaRajendra MeherConvener, Taskforce, IndiaEvery child has a Right to Family

3 About Taskforce Taskforce is a body of civil society organizations;-- aims to contribute to preventing and reducing the phenomenon of institutionalization of children by systematically supporting the children and care givers--Sensitize and influence the policy makers including government functionaries, elected members and civil society on the subject of Non institutional /family focused child care system

4 Institutions in India are…Thousands of children in need of care and protection or in conflict with law live in institutionsNo accurate data available on the number of child care institutions exist inthe Country or the number ofinstitutionalized childrenChild care institutions arelicensed under multipleacts – Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act), Women andChildren’s Institutions LicensingAct, Orphanages and otherCharitable Homes Act, etc.

5 Institutions in India are…Institutions run by NGOs, Faith based organizations and GovernmentsStudy shows that only around 30% institutions are recognized by GovernmentPercentage of children having biological parents residing in the institutions is very high (no accurate data available)Standards of care in institutions is a serious concern and always an issue

6 Children in Institutions are…Orphans, abandoned anddestituteMissing and run-awayStreet and working childrenIn conflict with the lawRescued from being traffickedAbused, tortured and exploitedAffected by HIV/AIDSAffected by natural and man-made calamities and other emergenciesDisabled and lacking parental careSuffering from terminal/incurable diseasesMultiple children with a multiplicity of needsLife experiences at the point of contact with the JJ System has likely included a great deal of stress, trauma and even violence

7 RationalResearch evidence demonstrating that child in institutional care has negative effect on the holistic development.A better understanding of the negative effects of institutions upon children by policy makers and cost to the State and local authorities.Greater insights into how foster families could be encouraged to provide a better alternative care placement.

8 ?Big QuestionsUnder what conditions do these thousands of children live?Whose responsibility are they?What are their rights and entitlements?Who will safeguard their rights?

9 Present ArrangementsWe have a very promising Schemes (Integrated Child Protection Schemes) where Government wants to implement various family focused care arrangementsFor the first time Government recognize family focused Non institutionalized child care through various reform approaches and schemes.Institutionalization will be treated as the last resort ( as per the schemes)

10 Role of TaskforceImplement various Alternative care arrangement and established the conceptUndertake process documentationInvite Government to visit the programme and see how things is happeningMobilize media and local opinion makers about the programmeTrained various stakeholders on the conceptPut trained Social worker in all child care institutions to carry out the programme

11 Task Force in Piloting the concept of family reunification.Taskforce is presently working on the project of de-institutionalization, for the Women & Child Development Department of Odisha, with support from Ministry of Women & Child Development and in technical support from UNICEFUnder this Pilot initiative Taskforceis working closely with six nos.of child care institutions (Balashram,Govt. owned) in six differentgeographical representative regionswith diverse traditional, cultural andlivelihood practices.

12 Children in the piloted institutionsProfiles of the children, residing in the piloted institutions.Total no of children residing 712, out of which 535 are boys and 173 are girls.Out of total no of children 70% of children have lost one parent, 17 % children are orphan and 13% of the children have parents, who are living in extreme poverty..(99% of the children are from BPL* families)Out of total no of children with single parents, around 35% of the child having single mother.

13 Key focus of Interventions1. Strengthen capacity of families to cope with their problems and to create an enabling family environment for children2. Stimulate and strengthen community-based responses to reduce dependence on institutions3. Ensure governments’ Safety Net/ social security programs of the targeted families4. Facilitate setting strong gate keeping mechanism in district level so as to avoid unnecessary institutionalization of children5. Build capacity of various stakeholders on the concept of de-institutionalisation and family reunification.

14 Steps for De-institutionalizationPreparatory PhaseActivitiesConceptualization workshop with identified child care instititutions and other key stakeholders. Organise Prospective building workshop among the key functionaries of the institutionsOutcomesConceptual clarity and a plan of action developed among child care institutions and other key stakeholders .Intervention PhaseIdentify/mapping of children and potential parents and extended family. counselling of parents and childrenHome study report of each individual child along with socio economic profile of family prepared. Initiate counseling services and consensus buildup.Re-integration of children accelerated.Follow up and Monitoring PhaseChild tracking system developed along with monitoring at different leveloutcomesSupport to the family and children to continue his education and a healthy childhood in their families

15 Interventions at various levelAt Institution levelDeveloped criteria' to select children and take consent of the child coming under the criteria'Preparation of Individual care plan (ICP) for the child.Counseling the children by the social workerAt the village levelHome study report preparationDiscussion /counselling with the parents and relativesAdmitting the child to a village level educational institution to continue their studies.Back Home Ceremony at the village levelfollow up of child's status at the village by the task force.At the District level.Prospective building workshop with the key stakeholders.CWC( child welfare committee) facilitation of the deinstitutionalization process

16 Achievements – First yearAs a result of the interventions 90 children have back to their community and family37 children who are from extremely poor families are supported with SPONSERSHIP of Rs 1000/- per month per child from Government.All the children are enrolled inthe nearest school andcontinuing education .Vulnerabilities mapping of childrenresiding in the institutions andwork out strategies for socialreintegration initiated.Government is planning to develop a Gate keeping mechanism and announced a Sponsorship programme for the families

17 Implementation mechanismWork closely with Child Welfare Committee (CWCs) and District Child Protection Society, (DCPS) in the district and Orissa State Child Protection Society (OSCPS) in the stateEstablish link with various social protection schemes/programme as a part of family strengthening program.Identify other orphan and vulnerable children in the society and link them with various schemes to prevent institutionalization.

18 ChallengesEverybody is tuned towards institutionalization of children, awareness about family focused care is extremely poorInadequate Gate keeping mechanism to prevent unnecessary institutionalizationPeoples‘ perception towards Child care institutions are different. They consider it as a hostel/Education institute/BusinessMostly Parents are resource poor and unable to arrange other facilities for children to stay in the house.

19 OpportunitiesICPS Schemes which subscribe the family focused care arrangements are in placedJJAct focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration of children in need of care and protection is in forceResource allocation by Government is started under this conceptSlowly alternative/ non-institutional care concept getting recognition by people.

20 Way forwardShare the learning with Larger stakeholders and scale up to reach more number of Children/institutionsUndertake study on Status of Institutions offering Institutional careDevelop a strong Gate keeping mechanism and advocate /lobby for De-institutionalization.Study on Aftercare approach and pilot the conceptDevelop a convergence mechanism /synergy with various welfare schemes meant for families and their children

21 Thanks Special thanks toWomen and Child Development Departments, Government of OdishaUnicef, State office for OdishaSpecial thanks toKinderpostzegelsCordaidBep Van Sloten, BCN